Symmes Baptist's 145^th Anniversary Program Near
Ironton newspaper clipping dated May 7, 1964

Submitted by Lorna Marks

The "Mother of Baptist Churches" in Lawrence County will open the observance of its 145^th anniversary this weekend, with special services beginning at the Symmes Valley Baptist Church Saturday evening, and concluding on May 16.

The church was organized on May 12, 1819, with these charter members: Mr. And Mrs. Robert McCORKLE, Mr. And Mrs. Daniel BOOTHE, Mrs. And Mrs. Samuel LANGDON, Mr. And Mrs. William HILLMAN, Mr. And Mrs. Pleasant MAY, and Mr. And Mrs. Robert BOOTHE.

Members of the presbytery were the Rev. Bazil LEWIS, the Rev. William HILLMAN and the Rev. William FUSON. Stations formed during the first 37 years of the church were Beulah Baptist, 1836; Union Baptist, 1843; Perkins Ridge, 1851; and Harmony Baptist, 1855.

Later, stations were organized at Long Creek in 1870 and Bald Knob in 1872.

The Rev. Tom DILLOW, pastor of the church north of Chesapeake, announced the following program, with speakers former ministers at the church:

Saturday, 6 p.m. mother-daughter banquet; 7:30 Baptist Youth Fellowship film; Sunday, 9:30 a.m., the Rev. G. L. WINTERS at special dedication services for new additions constructed since 1962; Sunday night, 7 p.m., the Rev. Carl MORRIS.

On Monday at 7 p.m., the Rev. W. BILLUPS will be in charge: Tuesday, May 12, 7 p.m. the Rev. Mr. BILLUPS with a church history; Wednesday, May 13, 7 p.m., the Rev. J. C. MURDOCK; Thursday, May 14, 7 p.m., the Rev. E. BOWEN; Friday, May 15, 7 p.m., the Rev. Virgil SWARTZWEIDER; Saturday, May 16, the Rev. Leland HOLDERBY and the church history.

There are 74 resident members and 40 non-resident members of the Lawrence County church. The oldest members are the Rev. G. L. WINTERS, Mamie KEENEY, Annie LANG, Martha McCONNELL WILSON, Eva BRAMMER, Danny LANG, George LANG, Susan LANG, and Lillie LANG WEBB.